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Album Review ~ Dead Letter Circus ~ ‘Dead Letter Circus’

Australia’s Dead Letter Circus have unleashed their latest album, simply titled Dead Letter Circus on Rise Records. This is their fifth release, and the guys just keep getting better with each album.

“Armor You Own” gets things off to a great start. Blending thick, sludgy groove from the rhythm section with exquisite guitar riffs to pave the way for vocalist, Kim Benzie. Kim brings to the table, an incredible sense of both melody and rage that is just a pleasure to listen to.

“The Real You.” has become one of my personal favorites on the album. Everything about the song reminds me of Nothing’s Shocking era Jane’s Addiction. Quite noticeably when the chorus explodes and Kim (Benzie) proclaims, “Show me the real you!”

“Change” and “We Own the Light” are most definitely highlights on Dead Letter Circus. Guitarist Clint Vincent and Vocalist Kim Benzie play off of each other quite superbly. The latter boasts and eerie, almost Tool like vibe, however, the band does add their signature stamp.

Other notable tracks are the up tempo “Trade Places” and the angst ridden “Say It Won’t Be Long.”

Closing out the album is “Home.” The guitar intro is simply exquisite and the vocal line is quite ethereal and dreamy. It isn’t until the 1:10 mark, that the band turns it up and launches into an epic track like only Dead Letter Circus can. A really great way to close out the record.

Dead Letter Circus is a solid album from beginning to end. The musicianship is top notch and this is hands down some of the band’s best material to date. In my honest opinion, it won’t be long until these Australian prog-rockers infiltrate the mainstream hard rock scene all over the world. Rating: 7.5/10 Stars.